My role focuses on the ‘Contact’ phase between L’Arche and the group; it is an initial period of dialogue where information is given and received, eventually discerning if necessary conditions are being met. If they are met, a proposal is made that the group passes on to the ‘Pre-foundation’ stage and is then allocated to the relevant L’Arche coordinator; alternatively, if conditions cannot be met, and/or the Federation is not able to accompany the group further, the latter would be steered, when possible, to
possibilities other than L’Arche.

Playing a part in the emergence of new communities in some very diverse cultural environments, is a captivating experience: so many are crying out for support. In this role, it is an advantage to have lived in L’Arche in some pretty varied cultures (India, Haiti, Canada, (Quebec)) for several years. But given that some
expressions of interest come from cultural milieus in ongoing evolution, I find I also need to remain open to new ways of founding a community. The document, ‘Guidelines for founding a L’Arche community’ (currently under revision) will be a very useful reference tool in this regard.